the Eiji Sawamura Award to Masumi Kuwata of the Yomiuri Giants (15-6, 2.17, 207 IP, 151 strikeouts). In a matchup between the Giants and the Lions in the 1987 Japan Series, the Lions would come out on top in 6 games, 4–2. Kudo was named the Japan Series MVP for the second consecutive year after he gave up one run in innings for a 0.48 ERA. In game 2, he earned the win with a complete-game shutout. In game 5, he got the save, coming in with one out in the ninth with a 3–1 lead. In game 6, Kudo threw his second complete game of the series, giving up 1 run, his only run of the series, and striking out 7 batters. After the season, Kudo was awarded with the Matsutaro Shoriki Award, given annually to the person who is deemed to have contributed the most to baseball in Japan. 1988–1990: Inconsistency and injury For the next two years, Kudo posted mediocre records (10-10, 3.79 in 1988, 4–8, 4.96 in 1989). The 1989 season was the first time in his career that he had a losing record, and would not post another losing season until 1996. He rebounded in 1990 with a 9–2 record, but missed significant time due to injury. It was the first time since 1984 that Kudo failed to reach 100 innings. The Lions were still in the midst of their Golden Age and won the Japan Series in 1988 and 1990. Kudo made one appearance in the 1988 Japan Series against the Chunichi Dragons. In game 3, he threw a complete game, gave up three runs, struck out four batters and earned the win. The Lions defeated the Dragons in 5 games, 4–1. Kudo made one appearance in the 1990 Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants. In game 2, he pitched innings, gave up 3 runs and struck out 3 batters. The Lions swept the Giants in 4 games, 4–0. 1991-1994: Cementing greatness, missing Sawamura Kudo posted a career-high in wins with 16, and got his ERA under 3.00 for the first time since 1987 (2.82). In innings, Kudo struck out 151 batters. Despite his efforts, he ended up losing out to Shinji Sasaoka (17-9, 2.44, 240 IP, 213 strikeouts) of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp for the Sawamura Award. The two aces would meet each other in the 1991 Japan Series, as the Lions defeated